What is "introducing" a buyer?

pie81

When asking how a buyer was "introduced" to the property, the question is how the buyer became aware that the property was for sale - was this through the estate agent's actions, or through other means.

I think it's fairly clear that you have been "introduced" to this property by the estate agent, because it's only through his marketing on Rightmove that you became aware of the property being for sale. So the seller will have to pay the fee.

not_loaded

Mark_Hewitt wrote: »

But couldn't anybody then seeing a 'For Sale' notice outside someones house then knock on the door and make them an offer?

My wife has a work colleague who ended up paying commission on a direct approach. The EA said they’d legally proceed on their refusal to pay, as the only reason someone would knock on the door out of the blue would be because of the EA's sign in the front garden.

pie81

not_loaded wrote: »

My wife has a work colleague who ended up paying commission on a direct approach. The EA said they’d legally proceed on their refusal to pay, as the only reason someone would knock on the door out of the blue would be because of the EA's sign in the front garden.

Exactly. I think the only buyers who will not have been "introduced" by the EA are those who became aware of the property being for sale through some entirely different means not involving the EA... for example chatting to the owner in the pub, or if the owner also puts an ad on gumtree and the buyer only sees that ad.